N. Richard Nash — The Young and the Fair

New York, Dramatists Play Service Inc. 1949. First edition. Cloth. An uncommon first edition play once owned by critic Clive Hirschhorn, with unclipped dust wrapper. An uncommon first edition with the original unclipped dust wrapper.  A play by American writer and dramatist N. Richard Nash, known for his work on plays performed on Broadway. Most prominently, The Rainmaker, which centres on a a small town in Depression-era America. During a devastating drought, a conman arrives with the promise of rain. The film adaptation starred Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn. The Young and the Fair is set in a junior college for young women, and explores themes of blackmail, resistance, and justice. From the theatrical collection of Clive Hirschhorn, theatre critic for the Sunday Express from 1966 to 1993. Known for his witty and thorough reviews, features and interviews, Hirschhorn also authored several works on the film industry, including his critically acclaimed biographies of Hollywood stars, Gene Kelly and James Mason.  A renowned book collector, the majority of works from Hirschhorn"s incredible library of theatre-related material have a characteristic pencil inscription with his date of acquisition to the upper corner of the paste down. Bound in original red cloth. With original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, very smart. Moderate bumping to tail. Mild age toning to endpapers. Dust wrapper smart. Moderate sunning to dust wrapper spine and extremities. Mild chipping to extremities. Small closed tear to dust wrapper rear joint. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean. Mild dusting to text block top edge. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed.